No doubt about it, Joe Crede's out for the season

Just in case there was any doubt, third baseman Joe Crede declared Monday he is definitely done for the season.

Making his first appearance in the White Sox clubhouse since undergoing back surgery on June 12, Crede said he has begun some light weightlifting and stretching and should be able to start swinging a bat again in November.

“We talked to Dr. (Robert) Watkins (who performed the surgery) and saw Brett Fischer out in Phoenix, the rehab guy - I don't think they want us to come back this year,” Crede said. “I think the chance of reinjuring or reherniating the disc is pretty high right now.”

Crede had been having trouble sleeping and felt pain in his legs before undergoing surgery to alleviate pain from the two herniated discs in his back.

“I'm glad that I did it,” Crede said. “From what I felt before the surgery as to now, I feel a lot better. Like I said before, the pain's not there, the sharp pains aren't there."

Crede walked without any noticeable limp or stiffness, a good sign for the Sox.

“It’s nice to see one guy we really need, nice to see him moving the way he’s moving,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “You have back surgery, you never know what’s going on. It’s a gamble, 50-50 chance, you never know how you’re going to be again.”

Crede said he’s “absolutely” sure he’ll be 100 percent healthy next year, but it’s not clear if he will be in a Sox uniform. Crede is arbitration eligible, and his replacement, Josh Fields, is playing well.

“Whatever happens off the field, arbitration, it's out of my control,” Crede said. "I did what's going to be best for my career and that was to go this route. I'm looking forward to coming back healthy.”

Pods may be back today

Guillen said left fielder Scott Podsednik (strained rib cage) should be back today from his rehab stint with Triple-A Charlotte.

Center fielder Darin Erstad (sprained left ankle), however, may spend some time in Charlotte.

“I think he’s still sore, that’s what I hear, that he’s not 100 percent yet to come back,” Guillen said of Erstad.

Scout’s honor?

During an interview on WSCR-AM (670) on Monday morning, recently fired director of scouting Duane Shaffer said “a lot of people in the business” think he was made into a scapegoat, the Sox are “getting old fast” and “it’s going to be tough for them to compete in the division for a couple of years.”

“He’s noted as a tough guy, that’s for sure,” Shaffer said of general manager Ken Williams. “He’s a tough guy to deal with. He comes across in a different manner, that’s for sure.”

Williams responded to the comments.

“Still, no matter what he said today or may say in the future, I never wanted it to get to that point and I take it very seriously when you're affecting someone's livelihood and moving something from them that they've had for a long time,’’ Williams said.

“Regardless of what he said, I appreciate it. We got a ring together and I wish him well."

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